Insects and Spiders - native

Golden Buprestid Beetle (Buprestis aurulenta) on Jul 29, 2022

Originally reported as Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis)

Submitter does not have a specimen

Description of specimen

I believe I found an emerald ash borer. Initially i thought it might be a japanese beetle, but upon closer look at the picture, and comparing with the interwebz, well you decide. When I first found it, I had captured it, and released it, not knowing what it was. But a few days later, figured out that it was invasive, and from there, figured out who to tell. Sorry about that. I try to not kill critters when I can avoid it.

Commentary

Thank you for your report! This is not EAB. It's a native member of the Metallic Wood-boring beetle family, the Golden Buprestid, Buprestis aurulenta. These beetles are larger and less slender than EAB. They are not tree killers. Their grubs live in dead conifers.

There are a number of iridescent green look-alike beetles in Oregon that are not pests. I am attaching a link to the ODA EAB webpage with some photos of other Oregon insects that could be mistaken for EAB

https://www.oregon.gov/oda/programs/IPPM/SurveyTreatment/Documents/EABLookAlikes.pdf

Thanks for being on the lookout!

Tom Valente
Aug. 1, 2022, 3:20 a.m.

Resources

Golden Buprestid Beetle information from iNaturalist

Location

I live on the third floor of my complex. I do have a window that does not have a screen on it, that was open around the time the insect was found. I have seen other insects both on my window screens, and a few have flown into my home as well. Additionally, the day prior I had picked up three house plants from the Portland Nursery at SE 90th and Division. The plants I chose were all from the indoor house plant area. None from outside. The insect was found inside my office, where my house plants reside. The window with a missing screen is in the bathroom, a few feet away from the office.

Expert Reviewer

Tom Valente
Oregon Department of Agriculture

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